Village Foundation awards scholarships and grants

by Eileen Vernon

Julia Mosier, right, received the first annual T. Richard Martin Memorial Scholarship from Village Foundation president Eileen Vernon, center, and Betsy Martin, left.

The Village Foundation hosted its annual ceremony on Memorial Day to install and dedicate permanent bronze plaques and to announce winners of grants and scholarships. The Foundation presented the first ever T. Richard Martin Memorial Scholarship to Julia Mosier. This scholarship will be funded annually by a generous grant made by Elizabeth R. Martin in memory of her late husband, Dick. The Village Foundation Scholarship was awarded to Caroline Hall.

Five grants were awarded for Bay Village projects and members of those groups were in attendance to receive the grants. Jon Loufman was the master of ceremonies who announced that the Foundation has now contributed more than $50,000 in scholarships and grants to support community projects. The grants awarded by The Village Foundation for 2012 were:

Game On: This program serves children with autism spectrum disorder in Bay Village. The requested funds will allow individuals with autism spectrum disorder to practice social techniques in a safe environment through role playing amongst peers. The goal is to increase the ability of individuals with autism to navigate his/her social environment.

Fashion Forward: The organization’s mission is to provide brand new quality clothing on a year-round basis to families in need. The organization operates in coordination with a number of churches. The clothing is purchased at significant discounts (often 75-95 percent off). Nearly 100 families (almost 500 people) in Bay Village live below the poverty line. The goal is to partner with the city's community services dept. to serve the needy.

Normandy School: The school has started composting their healthy snack waste. The school previously purchased a small composter and one classroom has composted over 300 pounds of waste since November of 2010. They now hope to purchase a large compost for outside.

Meals on Wheels: This program provides residents who are no longer able to shop, purchase and prepare their own meals with two nutritionally balanced meals a day. Funds are being requested to supplement the Meals on Wheels program, as well as senior and disabled residents’ transportation.

Fontbonne Home: Located in Bay Village, it serves five individuals with developmental disabilities. Residents are active members of St. Raphael’s Church, the Aktion Club, Knights of Columbus, and Fun Alum. It is supported through community fundraising, Medicaid and the county board of development. Funding is requested for the new vehicle fund.

BAYarts: The fifth and final grant to develop and maintain the The Village Foundation Welcome Garden at the Fuller House and BAYarts complex.

Five persons were memorialized by placing bronze plaques on the Cahoon Park walking bridge. They are: Ivan and Miriam Shepard, James C. Redinger, Elizabeth R. Martin and Joan Hirsh. Ms. Hirsh’s plaque was supported by a contribution from the League of Women Voters. The Village Foundation established the bronze plaque program as a way for families and friends to give permanent recognition to Bay citizens in one central place. Donors that contribute at the level of $2,500 or more may request a plaque to honor the life work of Bay Village residents living or dead.

For more Information about The Village Foundation, the grant application process or contributions towards a plaque please call 440-899-3490. Applications for scholarships and guidelines for proposals are available at www.thevillagefdn.org.

Eileen Vernon

President of The Village Foundation. Semi retired lawyer. Resident of Bay for 27 years.